Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 17th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of snowfall in central-eastern Highlands, may be often patchy and light, but risk locally more persistent, low cloud extensive. Clearer northwest coasts of Scotland. Low cloud much of northern England, some early rain and hill snow. Drier for Wales with varied low cloud. Light-moderate SE'ly winds.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Patchy snow, lowest cloud south/east. Moderate breeze, gusty.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 15 to 20mph, in places 25mph through some cols, passes and summits, locally 30mph NE Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but marked wind chill, locally significant where exposed to the strongest breeze, more blustery in places.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent snow, less north
Snow flurries, but more persistent snow particularly over southeastern Cairngorms NP, sleet or rain on lower slopes. Patchy small amounts toward Strathspey and Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest and most persistent south
Banks or patches of cloud at varying heights from mid to upper slopes, most persistent around Deeside to areas near Glen Garry. Best breaks across the north Cairngorms to Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 40% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mainly dull, little or no sun. Visibility suppressed in low cloud; beware challenging navigation in fog over snow cover. Locally good below cloud in north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to 0C, but feeling closer to -10C in the strongest breeze.
Freezing Level
Varied across the area, 600-900m, highest in the north. Also sub-zero with frost into glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 25 to 35mph, suddenly gusty in places, particularly downslope from northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking and balance on tops. Varied lower down, but in places very blustery. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Low cloud most persistent south
An extensive sheet of low cloud over southern Cairngorms NP from mid-slopes up, but also banks of cloud rolling across higher Cairngorm plateau; best breaks toward Strathspey into Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 50% Monadhliath.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine mostly toward Glenmore. Visibility very good out of cloud, but mistier to some mid-slopes toward south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, but in places just above 0C on some upper-mid slopes. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Small variation with height, near or just below freezing from many glens upward, terrain frozen or part-frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 19th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Jan 26 at
4:26PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 20 to 30mph, gusty around higher mountains, particularly downslope around northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure, starting to affect comfortable walking, not just on highest terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rare flurries
Possible snow flurries locally, greater risk toward the south, but amounts small.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south and higher Cairngorms
Lowest and most persistent cloud banks from Glen Garry to Deeside, to some mid-slopes. Cloud banks likely drift over higher Cairngorms. Breaks toward Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 50% northwest.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sun mainly toward Strathspey. Visibility good away from cloud, but likely dull toward south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, small change with height. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600 to 800m, may rise locally just above freezing higher up. Partly frozen terrain into some glens.
Planning Outlook
A slow-moving weather pattern onward into early next week with chilly air in place across the British Isles, mountains staying near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. Some weak fronts try to push in from the west bringing occasional rain and hill snow, amounts generally small. High pressure around Scandinavia is likely to dominate the patterns into the later stages of January, with colder air trying to push in from the east, much mountain terrain will be frozen. Occasional snow likely, generally driest in the northwest.